Articles tagged with Services

Showing 15 of 119 articles

New Attendance Services Boost School Re-enrolment and Close NEN Cases in 2026

11 Aug 2026 | 4 weeks ago | 293 views

Associate Education Minister David Seymour highlighted that improved attendance services and increased funding have led to a decade-high school attendance and a significant rise in re-enrollment of non-enrolled students (NENs) in 2026. The Ministry has closed 11,579 NEN cases so far this year by focusing on individualized support and better case management, resulting in more students returning to school. Ongoing efforts include providing schools with additional resources, establishing Transition hubs, and aiming for 80% of students to attend school over 90% of the time by 2030.

Tags: David Seymour Associate Education Minister Ministry of Education attendance services NEN cases Budget 2025 Transition hubs Attendance Service Contingency Funds

New Child and Youth Mental Health Service Launched in Central Otago

09 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 314 views

A new child and youth mental health and addiction service, Hono ki te Ora, has been launched in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes to provide a single, coordinated point of access for young people aged 5 to 24 and their families. The service aims to simplify navigation of the mental health system, reduce fragmentation, and connect individuals to appropriate support without duplication, especially in this geographically isolated and fast-growing region. Since May, the service has received 80 referrals, actively supporting 35 young people and strengthening community relationships to ensure timely and effective care.

Tags: Matt Doocey Hono ki te Ora Central Otago Queenstown Lakes child mental health youth addiction service New Zealand mental health support young people community services

New Zealand Launches 10-Year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for All

05 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 326 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey launched New Zealand’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, setting a 10-year plan with a detailed three-year Implementation Plan featuring 50 actions to improve mental health and addiction outcomes. Key focuses include launching AI Navigation for easier access to services, integrating mental health with housing and employment support, eliminating seclusion, and co-designing a youth mental health roadmap. The strategy was shaped by feedback from nearly 900 people and organizations, aiming to create a more effective mental health system.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Healthy Futures Act Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Mental Health Bill youth mental health addiction services AI Navigation public consultation

New Zealand Launches Industry-Led Secondary Subjects for Future Careers from 2029

05 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 481 views

New Zealand is launching industry-led, future-focused secondary school subjects from 2029 to better align education with emerging job markets in sectors like manufacturing, energy, health, and tourism. These subjects, developed with industry input and valued equally to traditional subjects, aim to equip students with practical skills and clear pathways into trades, university, or employment, supported by a $15 million investment. The initiative fosters student engagement by connecting learning to real-world careers, benefiting both employers seeking skilled workers and students preparing for rewarding futures.

Tags: Nicola Willis Erica Stanford Applied Intelligent Systems Construction and Built Environment Energy and Infrastructure Engineering Technology Food and Fibre Systems Health Services and Care Hospitality Food and Beverage

Health NZ to Offer 1800 Graduate Nurse Roles Nationwide in 2024

22 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 377 views

Health New Zealand plans to offer around 1800 graduate nurse roles in the coming year to strengthen the nursing workforce with locally trained professionals. Last year, 1716 offers were made, resulting in 1845 graduate nurses employed across various health sectors, including hospitals, primary care, and community services. Recruitment will continue nationwide throughout the year, covering diverse specialties and supporting nurses into frontline, primary, and community care roles.

Tags: Health New Zealand Simeon Brown graduate nurse roles nursing workforce registered nurses enrolled nurses primary care community services emergency departments mental health services

New Canterbury Mental Health Co-Response Team Shows Positive Early Results

16 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 463 views

A new mental health co-response team in Canterbury, combining mental health professionals and Police, has supported 35 people since May, showing positive early outcomes. This initiative addresses previous shortcomings where mental health distress calls received a criminal justice response, aiming to provide more appropriate and compassionate care. The model, proven effective in Wellington, reduces emergency department visits and police interventions, improving crisis support for those in mental distress.

Tags: Canterbury mental health Matt Doocey Police New Zealand crisis response Specialist Mental Health Services Mental Health Act Wellington

$3.5M NZ Government Project Funds High-Tech Power Wheelchairs for Disabled

13 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 438 views

A $3.5 million government-funded project aims to provide 100 people with progressive conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy access to high-performance power wheelchairs to improve independence, participation, and quality of life. The two-year research program will evaluate the social and economic benefits of advanced wheelchair technology in New Zealand, informing future policy, funding, and equipment provision. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to leveraging assistive technology to enhance wellbeing and reduce long-term health and support costs for disabled individuals.

Tags: Louise Upston Enable New Zealand Disability Support Services Multiple Sclerosis Cerebral Palsy Budget 2025 New Zealand Government disability research assistive technology

Aeeden Boadita-Cormican Appointed New TAIC Commissioner Until 2031

30 Jun 2026 | 2 months ago | 511 views

Associate Transport Minister James Meager announced Aeeden Boadita-Cormican as the new Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), serving until May 2031. With over 35 years of legal experience and prior involvement in the transport sector, she has held significant roles including General Counsel at the Accident Compensation Corporation and governance positions in various organizations. Ms Boadita-Cormican replaces Bernadette Arapere and will work alongside the existing TAIC Commissioners to contribute her expertise and collaborative approach.

Tags: James Meager David Clarke Stephen Davies Howard Paula Rose Bernadette Arapere Transport Accident Investigation Commission Clifton Chambers Accident Compensation Corporation Southern Response Earthquake Services

New Zealand Expands Mental Health Co-Response Teams to Six More Regions

29 Jun 2026 | 2 months ago | 543 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced six new locations for mental health co-response teams, expanding New Zealand's crisis response to prioritize mental health support over criminal justice intervention. Funded by Budget 2025, this expansion will triple the number of teams from five to fifteen, with a focus on serving both urban and rural communities based on data-driven need. The government aims to ensure faster, tailored mental health support nationwide, addressing previous funding cuts and building on positive outcomes from existing teams.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Budget 2025 rural communities crisis response emergency services Mental Health Act Wellington evaluation

Taranaki Base Hospital New East Wing Opens, Boosting Patient Care and Capacity

24 Jun 2026 | 2 months ago | 548 views

The New East Wing of Taranaki Base Hospital has officially opened, marking a major milestone in the $462.6 million redevelopment to modernize healthcare services in the region. This new facility significantly expands capacity by 57%, integrating emergency, intensive care, maternity, diagnostics, and an Acute Assessment Unit to improve patient flow and treatment speed. The redevelopment also includes enhanced infrastructure like a rooftop helipad and an Integrated Operations Centre, ensuring better coordination and future-proofing healthcare delivery for Taranaki residents.

Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Taranaki Base Hospital New East Wing healthcare redevelopment emergency department maternity services neonatal unit Acute Assessment Unit hospital expansion

Government Expands Homelessness Support to Six New Locations in NZ

16 Jun 2026 | 2 months ago | 549 views

The New Zealand Government is expanding homelessness support services to six new locations and extending existing initiatives in major cities, backed by an additional $14.54 million funding to provide tailored local assistance. Since September 2025, efforts like the Housing First programme and transitional housing pilots have successfully moved 674 rough sleepers into stable housing and delivered over 1,500 support activities addressing mental health, addiction, and benefit registration. These measures aim to address both immediate housing needs and the broader challenges linked to homelessness, with community organizations playing a key role in delivering effective, locally-led support.

Tags: Chris Bishop Tama Potaka Housing First homelessness New Zealand outreach services transitional housing social homes Government funding homelessness support providers

Pharmac to Fund Ambulance Medicines from July for Better Patient Care in NZ

08 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 643 views

Associate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s new responsibility to fund ambulance medicines from July 1, aiming to provide consistent access to emergency medicines nationwide while achieving cost savings. Following public consultation, Pharmac added seven commonly used ambulance medicines to the funded list to better reflect practical needs and improve patient outcomes. This change integrates ambulance medicines management with hospital medicines, enhancing system efficiency, value for taxpayers, and seamless care transitions between ambulance and hospital services.

Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Health New Zealand ACC ambulance services emergency medicines patient outcomes public consultation health budget New Zealand

Ashburton Hospital Begins $3.2M Upgrade to Community Birthing Unit

04 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 647 views

Construction has begun on a $3.2 million upgrade of the community birthing unit at Ashburton Hospital, funded through the Government’s $100 million hospital infrastructure programme. The project will reconfigure postnatal rooms, create a dedicated antenatal clinic, and improve staff support areas to enhance care quality, safety, and efficiency. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment ensures modern, fit-for-purpose facilities to support better maternity services and meet growing community demand.

Tags: Ashburton Hospital Simeon Brown community birthing unit maternity services health infrastructure New Zealand hospital upgrade postnatal rooms antenatal clinic Budget 2025

New Community Consultation to Improve Disability and Carer Support Services

02 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 641 views

Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston announced a new community consultation from June 8 to July 31 to gather feedback on improving disability support services, focusing on flexible supports, better planning, and enhanced respite options for carers. The consultation will inform the development of a new carer support package aimed at providing financial aid, improved respite, and practical assistance, addressing the complexities of current formal employment arrangements for family carers. The government has committed $2.1 billion in recent budgets to strengthen the disability support system and emphasizes ongoing engagement with the disability community to create a fair, transparent, and sustainable service framework.

Tags: Louise Upston Disability Issues Minister DSS Disability Support Services family carers carers New Zealand Government Disability Support Services Bill carer support package disability community

NZ Trade Minister McClay Leads Key UK FTA Meeting and OECD Council Talks

31 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 700 views

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is visiting the UK to co-chair the NZ-UK FTA Trade Committee meeting and Paris to vice-chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, marking the third anniversary of the NZ-UK Free Trade Agreement, which has boosted two-way trade to a record $7.4 billion in 2025. New Zealand exports to the UK have surged by 75% over three years, driven by strong demand for premium products, with significant growth in meat and business services exports. During his visits, McClay will engage with international counterparts to discuss trade progress, cross-border investment, and strengthen relationships that support New Zealand jobs and economic opportunities.

Tags: Todd McClay Peter Kyle Chris Bryant New Zealand United Kingdom OECD trade investment business services